The Regressed Martial God Monopolizes Everything - Chapter 31
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 31. Ill Fated Reunion (1)
[You will pay 10 Champion Trophies.]
[Select the Trait to enhance.]
Jung Hyun-su enhanced Sanctuary without hesitation.
[The Trait ‘Sanctuary’ is being enhanced.]
[Sanctuary’s Slot expands, and the internal environment improves.]
[Available extra Slots: 10/21]
[Skyle’s workbench desk grows larger.]
[Oil rolls about across the surface.]
[You may now recruit additional members to Sanctuary.]
“Good.”
Jung Hyun-su’s next objectives were twofold.
‘First, Garam must possess the starting point of the Magical Great Revolution.’
To rescue the genius mage who ushered in a new era of magic stones from Sun-woo Hyun’s grasp and seize the advantage in civilization—and in the process…….
“Purge the traitor and restore Garam to order.”
Jung Hyun-su glanced at the date on his smartwatch screen.
‘It’s about time.’
Sure enough, Jung Hyun-su received a summons almost immediately.
Jung Chul called Jung Hyun-su to his office.
“Have you been training?”
“Yes.”
Even as Jung Hyun-su answered Kwon Gang-pal’s question, his awareness extended to the man on the left.
The polar opposite of Kwon Gang-pal—all rippling muscle and casual wildness—stood a man whose neat hair and tailored suit spoke of a sharp, toned frame and an elite bearing.
‘Kang Hyun-woo.’
One of the two Vice Guild Masters in Garam, Kang Hyun-woo handled external affairs while Kwon Gang-pal focused on clearing Gates.
“It’s been a while, Hyun-su. I’ve heard about you.”
“…Yes.”
“When the Hunters Association headquarters first heard about you, you can’t imagine how surprised they were.”
“Hah, as if the Association’s fussing is anything new?”
“Sir, but surely Hyun-su’s accomplishments are worthy of that surprise? He’s building a legacy that will be recorded in history.”
At Kang Hyun-woo’s words, Kwon Gang-pal grumbled.
“He’s still got a long way to go.”
“Simply envisioning such a distant goal has already played a significant role in enhancing Garam’s image. Wouldn’t you agree?”
“…He just needs to do his part well. That’s all.”
“It seems his resolve has solidified now, so it would be best to support him properly. Besides, the Association has begun requesting that we clarify our position.”
“…Our position? The Association wants to scout him?”
At the words of Jung Hyun-ah, who had been summoned alongside him, Kang Hyun-woo smiled faintly.
“It seems they intend to make him the new face of the Association. Of course, for that to happen, you’ll need to get to know each other better. We’re still in the consultation phase, so nothing’s decided yet.”
“If the Association calls, will you go running?”
At Kwon Gang-pal’s words, Jung Hyun-su grinned.
“If there’s sufficient benefit to be had, there’s no reason not to.”
“Hah, a true opportunist through and through.”
“You used to call him rotten, and now he’s improved so much.”
“Don’t play word games.”
“Yes.”
Kang Hyun-woo smiled faintly again.
In the past, whenever he watched Jung Hyun-su caught in crossfire like this, he’d smiled the same way—and there had been a time when Jung Hyun-su trusted and relied on him.
— So, where’s O Wang-mu’s secret manual? No matter what, they’re blood relatives and you’re the eldest son—you’d know, wouldn’t you? Huh?
But the image of Kang Hyun-woo reflected in Jung Hyun-su’s eyes was nothing more than a traitor holding aloft the severed neck of Jung Hyun-ah, demanding O Wang-mu’s secret manual.
For an instant, murderous intent and hatred boiled up, but Jung Hyun-su had not lived through all these years soft enough to lose his reason over something like this.
‘I won’t make the same mistake twice.’
There was a vast difference between suffering through ignorance and failing despite knowledge.
The most pitiful and wretched outcome was the latter. To avoid becoming that latter version of himself, Jung Hyun-su simply observed Kang Hyun-woo while suppressing his killing intent.
“…So, what’s the reason you called me here?”
At Jung Hyun-su’s words, Jung Chul produced something.
“This is…….”
An aura of significance emanated from the envelope, crafted from the hide of a Silk Salamander—a creature that only dropped materials from 50-plus-floor or A-Grade Dungeons.
“An invitation to the Top Ten Guilds Exchange Competition.”
A gathering of harmony accessible only to the direct lines of the mega-guilds that led South Korea.
That was the name given to the Exchange Competition, but the reality was nothing short of a battlefield.
Who will lead the future forward?
A land of survival where one must prove themselves as the powerful successor to lead Korea beyond East Asia and toward Asian unity and globalization, then return triumphant.
That was the true nature of the Exchange Competition.
“So you’re telling me to go play in some kid’s tournament like that?”
“…What do you mean? You’re the one who used to whine about wanting to go. Is this because of Min-jeong?”
Jung Hyun-su’s expression twisted.
“That’s got nothing to do with it. So you go instead.”
Jung Hyun-ah stared at him in bewilderment.
“But it’s the Exchange Competition.”
“I’m not interested in that garbage.”
“That… garbage? Do you even know what you get if you win here?”
“An access pass to the Phoenix Treasury where you can obtain decent-grade treasures, obviously.”
The Phoenix Treasury—a kind of ark built by the Ten Major Guilds in concert, created for South Korea’s future.
To be granted the chance to obtain items from that place, and yet such indifference?
“Both of you go.”
“Sir?”
“Jung Hyun-su. In the end, you’re still part of Garam. The Exchange Competition is a covenant passed down from previous generations. You have the qualifications, so you should attend.”
“Damn it. If I’d known this, I would’ve gone to the tenth floor later.”
Jung Hyun-ah could scarcely believe it.
Wasn’t Jung Hyun-su the very one who had always complained and grumbled because the Exchange Competition required at least Bronze Grade to attend?
“No more complaints. Prepare yourself. We depart tomorrow.”
“Yes, Guild Master. I accept your orders.”
Even as he answered, Jung Hyun-su’s eyes fixed on Kang Hyun-woo.
‘You’ll fall for my bait soon enough.’
Even if the fishing failed, he’d simply drag him out of the water and slaughter him.
The Dark King was that sort of being.
* * *
Having returned to the guild headquarters after a long absence, Kang Hyun-woo lived up to his nickname of workaholic, immersed in his office tackling the backlog of duties and gathering intelligence on internal guild affairs.
“Please clock out first.”
“Pardon? But…”
Kang Hyun-woo’s secretary, who had just transmitted the requested documents, hesitated.
“I don’t want to earn a reputation as a slave-driving boss on my first day back. You said you’re getting married soon, so you must be busy—go on. I’ll just review this and head out myself.”
…”
“That’s an order from your Vice Guild Master.”
“Thank you, Vice Guild Master.”
The secretary practically bounced out, bag in hand.
As the secretary’s silhouette vanished, the finely honed senses caught the distant sound of the elevator.
How much time passed after that?
“…What brings you by? No warning.”
“Do we need to arrange to meet?”
The figure who entered the executive office and settled into the chief seat on the sofa was none other than Jung Hyun-su.
“What matter brings Garam’s Sanctuary here to see me?”
“Uncle.”
…”
“I’ll be direct. Lend me your hand.”
Kang Hyun-woo smiled faintly.
“Lend you my hand? I’m not sure what you mean.”
“Why else would I have told Hyun-ah to go to the Exchange Competition?”
“I wonder…”
“You know as well as I do. We need to change the game we’re playing.”
“Change the game…?”
Jung Hyun-su lowered his voice, his gaze weighted with meaning.
“How much longer are we going to rot in this provincial backwater? Everyone else is globalizing, fighting tooth and nail to claim the prime gates in ravaged Africa and South America, while we scavenge scraps left behind by the Ten Major Guilds, eking out existence on garbage. Is that really it?”
…”
“Don’t you see? You know as well as I do—O-Seong, Mirae, Sun-gyeong are recognized even overseas. So why are we stuck like this? I have potential, Uncle. Potential that shines brighter than anyone’s.”
“…And what do you intend to do about it?”
“You’re the only one who’s supported me since childhood. Men have their loyalties—don’t you know a man stays with the person who stood by him when things were hardest?”
The truth was, Jung Hyun-su had subtly encouraged this because it benefited him the more Kang Hyun-woo weakened Garam, but now Jung Hyun-su meant to exploit that to dig deeper into Kang Hyun-woo.
“Connect me with the Association.”
“…The Association?”
“Why do you keep pretending not to know? How many years have you been here? I get backing from the Association, and I become the next Association chairman. Garam? It’s just my roots—I can make Hyun-ah subordinate herself and do what I want. You think she’d actually abandon Garam?”
“You’re still young.”
Kang Hyun-woo smiled faintly as he spoke.
“If you’re going to propose a deal, you need to tell me what benefit it brings me. Isn’t that how it works?”
“Uncle, if I keep breaking SSS Rank dungeons like this, can you imagine what I’ll gain?”
“That won’t cut it.”
“But I can solve one problem that’s been weighing on you right now.”
“A problem?”
“Why do you ask? The Association sent you to find out my exact Trait, didn’t they?”
Jung Hyun-su’s solo clear of the 10th floor was an unprecedented achievement.
Sun-woo Hyun was the type to be especially wary of powerful Hunters whose true strength remained unknown.
For someone who had to possess anything he desired, nothing preoccupied him quite like a future rival—nothing captivated him more.
“…You’re saying you’d reveal it?”
“If you become my partner, there’s nothing I can’t do.”
“Be precise. Who exactly do you want?”
“Why are you like this? That’s something you need to prove. It’s your job to find the person I need most and arrange an introduction.”
Jung Hyun-su rose from his seat as he spoke.
“I’ll reveal my Trait right then and there.”
Jung Hyun-su was casting out light bait first.
To drag a traitor from the mud and kill him, you had to dangle something tempting before him.
‘Your main objective, having already become the Association chairman’s lackey, will be to find out about me.’
To destroy Garam and obtain O Wang-mu, Kang Hyun-woo—who would desperately need Sun-woo Hyun’s help—couldn’t possibly refuse such an offer.
“Hmm, the Exchange Competition.”
In truth, Jung Hyun-su had to participate in the Exchange Competition as well.
‘I’ll obtain him from the Phoenix Treasury.’
To eliminate the Battle Mage under Sun-woo Hyun’s command who pursued that genius mage, and leave no trace, he needed another companion to fill the remaining slots he’d just expanded.
And for that, even a slight increase in his stats would be necessary.
“Have you obtained the materials?”
“Yes. I’ve gathered all the materials you mentioned.”
“Two left, then.”
Jung Hyun-su collected the materials he’d received from Kim Chun-sik.
Blood-Scent Herb—one of the bloodstained toxic plants obtainable from the 30s-level floors.
Black-Blood Tree Black Sap, harvestable at low probability from A Grade Gates.
Scale powder from one of the aquatic dragon species called River Dragons, and even the watery bone marrow of a horn-crowned monster.
Materials that appeared in places where Gold Rankers operated, yet were difficult to obtain and so mediocre in effect that they were treated as garbage—no one looted them, making them hard to procure.
Materials that only the Black Market dealt in, or that alchemists chasing vain illusions still occasionally gathered and used.
‘What in the world is he planning to use these for?’
Though Kim Chun-sik’s thoughts were transparent as glass, Jung Hyun-su had no intention of answering him.
These were the materials that some alchemist, by chance while compounding countless thousands of medicinal combinations, had discovered—materials that would grant him the first stage of the Adamantine Indestructibility Trait.
‘When he learns the truth later, he’ll fall flat on his back.’
Kim Chun-sik had struck a deal with Jung Hyun-su for the British Royal Sacred Relic that a criminal had smuggled out, but if this was one of the prices for fulfilling five demands in exchange, he’d gotten a terrible bargain.
But ignorance is bliss.
With that thought, Jung Hyun-su devoted himself once more to growing stronger.
Continued in next chapter ▶
The Sole Devouring Regression Warrior
Author
Cheon-ya
Publisher
Kim Seok-hwan, Choi Se-ra
Published by
Grae Publishing
Contact: [email protected]
Publication date
May 26, 2026
UCI
G720:N+A327-20260515012
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Violations may result in criminal and civil legal liability.
※ Pentagram welcomes your precious manuscripts.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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